Zero Calvin

By Brian Cramer

Calvin Jones, a computer programmer in his mid-twenties, decides to skip work and meet his girlfriend at the beach instead. However, because of an accident, a trip to the hospital, death, and cryogenic freezing, he never quite makes it there. When Calvin is revived, he finds himself in a utopian society three hundred years in the future.

But every society has its peculiarities.

This one happens to be governed by an artificial intelligence named Ariel. Using Ariel, this society has been able to identify its stupid, lazy, or otherwise detrimental individuals --and kill them. The result is a civilization of intelligent, hardworking inhabitants--except for Calvin.

Will Calvin be able to adapt to his new surroundings, or will the learning curve be too steep for him to survive?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595298133
• ISBN13: 9780595298136
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Hillarious a laugh on every page!

If you like sci-fi, utopian societies or if you are a tech freak you'll love this book! The book loaded with tongue-in-cheek humor (the world needs more of this) Can hardly wait for the sequel. Go Brian!!

Fun, Interesting Read

This book has page after page of fun, witty science-fiction wrapped up with a believeable future. It is almost like reading Futurama. I found myself laughing out loud several times which caused a problem because I had to explain the situation to my wife. The ending does leave you wondering, "what next". I surely hope Brian comes up with a sequal that is at least as funny comes out with it soon. I want to know what happens. I want a Sony PatientMan! Long live Tang!

Fun & Entertaining From Begining To End

This book is a quick easy read. My attention was captured from the opening pages to the very end. There was some sarcastic humor on every page that brought out a laugh, giggle, or smirk. Very enjoyable. I am looking forward to the sequel.

A quick read that leaves you wanting more.

Always on the lookout for new and well-written science-fiction, I picked up this book. It's a tightly written sci-fi number with numerous comic elements that reminds me of Terry Pratchett. We're introduced to Calvin and follow him as he dies and is reborn 300 years into the future. The differences are explained quite well and in an entertaining fashion so you don't get bored listening to a history lesson as we're introduced to talking computers, sandwiches made from the other other white meat and the life of Kevin Bacons clones. My only complaint is that the book leaves you hanging, though it finishes that particular chapter of Calvin's life and that I'll have to wait a little while for the sequel so I can get my fix. Kudos to Brian for a great first novel and I am eagerly anticipating the next in the series.

Great book, waiting for the the sequel...

Fans of the late great Douglas Adams and the Futurama Shows will love this book. SciFi comedy is something that rarely comes across well, but this book pulls it off well. Quirky characters and dialogue work very well together to create a real, albeit broken, sense of fun and familiarity to those who are familiar with Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent (if those are unfamiliar, google them, its worth it). Tounge in cheek humor and plausible scenarios create a world I'm anxious to explore, with toys and gadgets that are too cool for words (I want the oakley xspecs). This book is riddled with fun bits of obsurdity that you will recognise from this world. Other bits from the book, such as conversations with regular appliances (yes they do respond) that actually talk back are pure gems. I would actually like to meet the shower.... read it you'll see what I mean.All in all this author is off to a great start with this book, which is the beginning of a series which has a lot of promise, and is certain to become a book with much cult appeal. A fast read, but worth it. You owe it to yourself to purchase this book. It doesnt try to answer any of lifes big questions, just gives a few possibilities. Anyway, this has become much more long winded than I expected. Simply put, buy it. You'll like it.